Guildford & Reading Branch Page: 4 Sales and Publicity Stand
Jericho Living Heritage Trust Page: 34
Kent & East Sussex Branch – IWAKES Page: 24
Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust
Thames & Medway Canal Association
River Adur
River Medway Future Events
Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Page: 8
Reading Crofton Beam Engines
London Region Page: 39
South London Branch
Maidenhead – Friends of Maidenhead Waterways Page: 11
Mikron Theatre Group Page: 37
National Trust - River Wey & Godalming Navigations Page: 12
Oxfordshire Branch Page: 32
Paddle UK Page: 22
Puppet Theatre Barge Page: 37
River Thames Page: 22
Surrey Care Trust Page: 23
Tooley’s Boatyard Trust Page: 32
Towpath Walks Page: 40
Wey & Arun Canal Trust Page: 20
Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Page: 35
Cover Photo Courtesy: Friends of Maidenhead Waterways
IWA Branch Annual General Meetings
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meetings of the Oxfordshire and Guildford and Reading Branches of the Inland Waterways Association will be held as follows:
The Guildford & Reading Branch AGM will take place on Monday 9th March 2026: 6.30 for 7pm: Dapdune Wharf Tea Rooms, Wharf Road, Guildford, GU1 4RR. Zoom attendance available.
The Oxfordshire Branch AGM will take place on Saturday 18th April 2026: 10.30 for 11.00am: in person at Th e Boat Inn, Canal Road, Thrupp, Kidlington OX5 1JY.
The Agenda for the branch meetings will be based on the standard format set out in IWA Byelaws as follows:
1 Apologies for Absence
2 Approval (following amendments if necessary) of the Minutes of the Branch AGM held the previous year
3 Matters arising from the Minutes (and not under other Agenda items) 4 Branch Chairman’s Report
5 Branch Treasurer’s Report and Accounts
6 Election of members of the Committee (Nomination no longer necessary). Simply contact the Chairman to apply to join the Branch Committee or do so at the AGM
7 Any item for discussion of which the Branch Chairman has been notified in writing at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the relevant AGM
Editorial
Welcome to the Spring edition of . Although it is still Winter as I write and the weather has been very changeable. Spring is just around the corner, and I am looking forward to getting back out on the waterways.
Many thanks to all contributors for the articles and photos you have supplied for this edition of . I hope everyone enjoys reading them.
Chris Jones, Editor
Guildford & Reading Branch
Branch Chairman
2026 marks the anniversary of the founding of a number of restoration groups who restored the derelict waterways from oblivion. Their remarkable achievements provide today's waterway network. Details of the special events are available on their websites. Please support them if you can. These trusts and societies are even more important in the current financial climate if the network is to remain.
Our branch will be at the Reading Water Fest at the end of June and the Wey River Festival in September and will welcome help with the sales stand.
Photo Courtesy: National Trust Verna Smith (Chair)
Sales & Publicity Stand
Our last event of the year was the Wey River Festival. We were very fortunate to have an additional helper for this event. Thank you Ian.
Next year’s timetable is below. Please do let us know if you can help during 2026. You can contact Chris Jones or any member of the Sales Team - our email address is: chris.jones@waterways.org.uk.
The Sales Team
Future Events
Mon 9th Mar: G&R AGM, 6.30 for 7 pm start. Dapdune Wharf, Guildford. GU1 4RR. Refreshments available. Please contact Chris Jones for Zoom access.
Sat 27th Jun: Reading Water Fest
Sep: Wey River Festival, Dapdune Wharf, Guildford, GU1 4RR.
Sat 3rd & Sun 4th Oct: Banbury Canal Festival (With Oxfordshire Branch)
Basingstoke Canal Society
2026 is a celebratory year for the Basingstoke Canal society as we spend our year reminiscing and celebrating the past 60 years of the society and look ahead to the next 60 too, of course!
Our celebrations began in January with a special talk about our work, memories and having input from members and supporters on what the Canal, Canal Society and the anniversary mean to them. We also welcomed ideas on what the coming year celebrations should include from their perspective, of course with plenty of memories and photos shared as well.
Later this spring a commemorative booklet will also be released for sale, themed boat trips will run throughout the summer season, a list of 60 things to do on the Basingstoke Canal will be published and much more. Most exciting for all, we will be hosting a special event in Woking on the 18th April with entertainment, refreshments, on the Canal and exhibitions on the last 60 years. The event will be family friendly and there will be something for all ages!
Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, this Spring we’ll launch our corporate membership and invite companies large and small to support the canal easily by becoming a corporate member. If you’re interested, please email corporates@basingstoke-canal.org.uk and keep an eye out for updates on our
website as we release more information and the ability to become a corporate member online.
We invite you all to celebrate our 60th Anniversary with us, become a member to stay up to date with the latest information and of course the more the merrier at all our celebratory events and out and about on the Canal too!
Charlotte Rodgers, Press Officer BCS
Boat Trips:
The trip boat operates from Odiham in Hampshire, running public, themed and chartered cruises. Trips last about 3.25hours and run through farms, woodlands and the occasional small settlement.
Information for times and prices for trips and how to charter the boat for a special occasion or social outing is available on our website: https://basingstokecanal.org.uk/book-your-trip/. All bookings are done online but for help email: jpbookings@basingstoke-canal.org.uk,or call: 07506 864411 (10am –6pm). public boattrips are at 11am, 1pm and 2.45pmfrom thetown wharf in Woking.
Trips from Mytchett: Boat trips on board our friendly 12-seater boat usually run at weekends and on public holidays from Easter to September. Please contact us for up to date information. Tel 01252 370073, email info@basingstokecanal.co.uk or check on Facebook or Twitter.
Focus on Accessible Boating Association
The Accessible Boating Association,(ABA), is a registered charity initiated in 1985. The charity enables people who cannotuse existing canal boats to enjoy cruises on the Basingstoke Canal.
Two boats are available: a comfortable 7-berth cruising boatand a 12-person day boat.Both boats are based in Odiham at Galleon Marine’s boatyard with trips operating from Colt Hill Wharf from April to October. For more details see thewebsite www.accessibleboating.org.uk .
Chichester Ship
Canal Trust
Although we have had to put our prices up, this has not affected turnover or income. Trip boat income and Café sales have both increased.
Theme cruisesandchartered trips continue to prove popularandPartnership events have been established, some of them externally run.
As a result,our financial position is healthy, enabling us to buy a “Truxor”machine for dredgingand bank repair
The future focus is to attract more volunteers, and widen our customer and public
appeal, partnering more within the community with neighbours, like minded groups, Businesses and Local authorities
We have a 5-year plan to preserve the canal for present & future generations, with Dredging, clearing Canal Banks, keeping the Café and Heritage Centre open and continuing Boat trips.
Mark Stonehan, Chair, Chichester Canal
Join us for a spectacular FREE Laser Show at Chichester Canal Basin on Friday 20th & Saturday 21st February 2026. There will be 3 different displays at 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm. Why not make an evening of it –there will be food and drink stalls, and the Canal Café will be open throughout the event. Bring your friends and family and enjoy an unforgettable evening of light, colour and atmosphere by the water. No tickets are required – just turn up and enjoy!
Over Easter, from Saturday 28th March to Monday 6th April why not visit us and take a boat Trip on ? £15 per ticket
The 1st Trip is at 10:00 am; 2nd Trip at 12:15 pm and the 3rd Trip at 14:30 pm Bookings are open now.
Please contact the Chichester Canal Trust for further details or check our website boxoffice@chichestercanal.com
Richard Janczur Chichester Canal Trust
Kennet & Avon Canal News
Reading Branch
Chairman’s Report
I’m writing this while looking at the water monitors from EA and CRT. We have one of those named storms coming in (Chandra) and the levels are already high! It’s due to come in somewhat to the west, so hopefully it will not hit us too hard. It’s always interesting seeing the water birds swimming around the water meadow, we have seen a Heron catching a fish that took a wrong turn.
The local navigation is currently on “red boards”. Burghfield Lock is currently closed due to impact damage on the bottom gates. These gates were not in a good state and have been due to be replaced for the last couple of years, but stopped due to weather / water conditions. A challenge, with no road access the new gates may have to be transported by a boat with a crane. The hope is that the lock will be working by April. Lock 93, Heals Lock is also in need of serious attention with repairs planned to be complete in early March but are currently on hold while the CRT workforce is dealing with overrun issue repairing Ham Lock (87).
We’re preparing for the New Season. Hoping to begin trips from The Cunning Man in Burghfield for Easter, moving to Star Lane Wharf (behind Queens Road Car Park, Reading), a couple of weeks later when we are happy that the flows are safe and stable.
Our big plan for the trust this year is to Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of our existence as an organisation. The Association began in 1951 becoming a charitable trust 11 years later, campaigning, lobbying and working to restore, reopen and see the maintenance of our wonderful navigation. We have a number of things that we will be starting this year. It includes obtaining a 125-year lease for our Devizes building, looking to bring the Archive and the museum together in the same building and bring both up to
Queen Elizabeth II on the re-opening of the canal
Reading High Bridge
modern standards The re-introduction of a café facility and improvements to our event space. We hope to house a tourist point to assist Devizes Town Council in making the best of the area. We have a new trip boat to work in the Bath area and the start of planning improvements to our Wharf space at Great Bedwyn supporting our fully accessible wide beam fleet that provide trips and holidays for the less mobile. We are looking to revamp the Burbage crane which has gone some years without the TLC it needs. Our flag ship KA75 project will be taking one of our Bruce Boats to re-enact the Tim West/ Prunella Scales trip of 1990. They were the first boat and crew to make the journey from Bristol to Reading following the Restoration of the K&A. “Tim and Pru” were Vice Presidents of the trust and were involved in campaigning and fund raising etc.to make the impossible happen. The Boat will begin its journey at the beginning of June and head towards Bristol. We will then formally start the cruise from Bristol heading for the Reading Water Fest on the 27th of June. The Boat will be stopping at numerous points along the way giving opportunities for community groups, our members and volunteers to have a trip and experience the wonders of the K&A. There are plans for entertainments and meetings with friends and enthusiasts of the trust and the waterway along the way. Check the KA75 tab on our web site to provide information and updates on this cruise. We are also developing our social media outputs to record the adventures of our celebration cruise.
In the Reading Branch area, The Aldermaston Tea Room continues to be a great place to go. We are currently planning for the Devizes to Westminster canoe race and the shorter warm up events to the Thames. The Tea room will feature in our celebration stops. We have some new items we are installing into the Wash / Toll house and hope to add some new things to see to coincide with our KA75 celebrations.
I recently attended a meeting with RBC, the EA, CRT, Barratt Homes (Huntley Wharf) and representatives from the Oracle. The Meeting was to discuss moorings and making Reading more boat friendly. It’s an ongoing discussion but hopefully will give folk a better opportunity to experience Reading.
At our January meeting we screened a number of video clips from the K&A archive that included snippets from the notables of the early days, film of HM the Queen reopening the waterway and the cruise of Tim West and Prunella Scales. Some wonderful memories revived and some discussions and face spotting as the pictures flashed past. We hope these clips will be available to see on our cruise.
Devizes to Westminster race
Burbage Crane
In the February meeting we have CRT’s Environment officer for Canal and River Trust. She will be talking about the sightings of Otters and Water voles and the encroaching families of beavers that have existed around the Avon estuary for many years. Sightings as far as the borders of Berkshire apparently. For the March meeting we have Roger Cansdale as speaker from the Basingstoke Canal Society talking about the history of the canal, the present operation and their plans for the future. Our April meeting is still to be finalised and the May meeting will be Mike Cooper a historian who will be talking about the WWII Blue line defenses, Pill boxes, gun emplacements, Dragon’s teeth and more. As always if someone would like to join us either via Zoom or at the Cunning Man in Burghfield please email me on chair@katrust.org.uk . Keep well and look after each other.
Tree cutting work to keep the channel open
Graham Puddephatt Chair Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. Chair Reading Branch Kennet and Avon Canal Trust chair@katrust.org.uk
Photos Courtesy: DWRace.co.uk and Graham Puddephatt
Crofton Beam Engines
The Great Easter Steam Up: 5th & 6th April. The first steaming of Crofton’s year. Watch our mighty Beams rise and fall as the engines work to raise water 40 feet from our well to feed the Kennet and Avon Canal.
We will have duck races in our stream (leat) on both days. Watch your ducks pop out of the pump and race away towards the canal. There will be prizes for both first and last duck to pass under our bridge.
Winter Works Open Days: February: Sat 21st March: Sat 7th; Sat 21st; Sat 28th
There is no charge to enter the site but a donation of £5 would be appreciated.
Please visit our website for up to date information: www.katrust.org.uk
Photo and information: Crofton Beam Engines
Maidenhead Waterways
AGM -The charity’s annual meeting on 6th November went very well, with members receiving a review of progress in the year, approving the 2024/25 annual accounts and renewing trustee appointments.Good progress has been made on maintenance of the restored waterway; the EA reaffirmed the Public Right of Navigation after a year-long review; and new grant funding enabled us to set up its own Canoe Club, affiliated to PaddleUK.
Canoe Club News -Our new Canoe Club continues to grow and now has over 40 members, plus a waiting list. We currently operate 6 double canoes and 6 single seat kayaks, but aim to further expand depending on funding applications.All new joiners complete a PaddleUKDiscover course, learning key paddling and river skills, led by our two qualified coaches.
RBWM’s contractors have finally removed eight large fallen trees that were blocking the channel at Braywick Park.Canoeists can now paddle from Green Lane right through to the Thames, while helping keep the channel open for navigation.
Channel clearances -2025 was a busy year for ourvolunteers and we expanded work parties from once a fortnight to twice a week for much of the year.The focus has been on clearing the West bank of overhanging brambles and branches, for the first time since restoration of the York Stream arm of the waterway.
Considerable improvements have also been made to the East bank where we now maintain the banks opposite Maidenhead library, which were landscaped by Shanly Homes 3 years ago. Bushes have been pruned, steps repaired and grass cut down to the water’s edge.It is once more a pleasant and relaxing place for people to sit and watch life on the water.
Over the last five years our ongoing project has been the clearance of blockages in lower Bray Cut, to fully open passage from Green Lane to the Thames by Bray Marina. We use a mixture of contractors, specialist boats, help from the Waterways Recovery Group (BITM branch) and our new canoe club. Bray Cut is a never-ending task, with targeted clearance needed after every storm.
Richard Davenport, Chair of the Trustees Maidenhead Waterways Group
River Wey & Godalming Navigations
Withthechilly misty mornings over the river,it’s definitely apparentthatwe are in the midstofthe transition from autumnto winter.It’s lovely to see lots of people still out enjoying the sunnyspells wehavehadoflateandas a resultthe river is still very busywith walkers,runners, and cyclists, often together with their fourlegged friends . Therainfall hasmeanttha tweir adjustments have rampedupand taken centre stage for some of our teammembers,with interrupted sleepanddays when makingaplan for the day’s work is not anoption.
Newsfromthe MaintenanceTeam: We have hadagreat summer weatherwise, and many have visited the Navigation to walk, exercise topaddleand toboat. The constant use we seealsobringswith it a constant need to maintain.
The first phaseofthe imp rovements to NT mooringatAddlestonehasbeen completed.Wehave replaced theold woodenposts with steel posts and re-enforced the mooringb y drivingposts and putting crossmembers every 500 mm.Thiswill createa stronger staging, allowing itto beusedby wide-beamcraft.
Atfirstit maylooklike the gate, or the cill has beendamaged butvery often itcan just bedeb ris wedgedbetweenthe cill and the bottom ofthe gate, causing water to blow throughandup likethe picture shows.Please report this to Thames Lockso thatwe canclearit
Thisis Millmead lock upper topgates,showingdamage to the wooden cill nosing which sits on topof thecill where water is comingoutfrom underneath thenosing.This is caused normally (but not exclusively) bythepaddles being lifted to emp ty the chamb er before the topgates are closedproperly, causing thegatesto slam againstthe cill.This damage was repaired inearly December.
Thisis the heel postsnappedon Papercourt lock bottom gates.Thedamage wasfoundduringour routine maintenance inspections.It wascausedbya boat entering the lock and failing to slow sufficiently andhitting the lower gatebalanceb eam.We wouldask anyone findingdamage toplease reportitto Thames Lock.
Thiswasthe repair the teamcarriedout at St Catherine’s lower landing stage after aholedevelopedbelow the waterline. Wedugdown,found theoffendinghole , plugged it withpuddling clay, placed in limestone rocks behindand thenbackfilled with soil.
We have a rolling planoflock landing replacement.This year wehave replaced those above Papercourt Lock, belowPyrfordLock and belowBowers Lock
Adding soil at Papercourt after piling and towpath works
News from the Lengthsmen
Catteshall: I have enjoyed the drier autumnal days, allowing me to up keep the length with the normal j obs of strimming and cutting low branches along the towpath as well as keeping up with the mowing schedule. Whilst some of my time has been taken up with business as usual, I have also been giving some time to other jobs that come with the change in the season. I have started some cutback on the riverbanks to allow a good inspection of them and prevent dominant growth taking over the bank. I’ve also been clearing Godalming Wharf, my 2 locksides (Catteshall and Unstead) and Catteshall mooring line of the heavy leaf litter to assist with mowing the areas and keeping them safe and tidy for river users.
As some of you will be aware this month saw a lock stoppage at Unstead for the top gates to be replaced. This requires the pound above the lock to be run a few inches lower than normal to reduce the risk of water topping the stop planks and flooding the work site. This is certainly a little more challenging than normal, especially with the current rainfall keeping the levels fluctuating. Despite the extra water level checks and weir adjustments, it is great to see the new gates finished and ready for the new season in 2026.
This month has also seen the roundup for the year in one of our off-river meadows, Perry Bridge, that is part of the Wey Valley Meadows SSSI, w hich runs alongside the navigation from Catteshall to Peasmarsh. I have run several volunteer days with other groups and lengthsmen from along the navigation coming up to lend a hand. We are reducing the scrub growth here with the aims to help the tenant farmer improve the meadow condition and hopefully see grazing returning here. This is one of those p rojects we just w ouldn’t be able to achieve without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. Excitingly I have witnessed common snipe visiting this meadow.
So, while things turn more towards the rainy season and the weir work will get more demanding, I am also going to move forward with the cutback on the riverbanks and cutting back the offside vegetati on to ensure the river width and sightlines are maintained. Even when the days may be grey, wet, and muddy, the river normally has something to bring a smile to my face to serve as a reminder that all seasons have their beauty. This month I found a lovely frog in my punt who must have mistaken it for a pond!
Emily
St Catherines: Autumn is here and the colours have been beautiful. The beech trees downstream of ferry bridge have finished their displays, but the oaks near the “beach” are showing yellows and orange still. Some of the willows along the railw ay line walk are creating an autumnal corridor of yellow hues. Due to the mild and wet weather now is perfect fungi season. Fungi have huge mycelium (root) networks that break down organic matter and provide food and water for plants, trees and insects and it is a great time to spot their fruiting bodies as they erupt from the ground. Many of them will indicate the decomposition of wood/tree roots underground and you will see them on other fallen and rotting timber that they p rocess effectively into soil.
In the last month, my volunteer group and I have been working hard in the 10.5-acre Shalford Nature reserve, clearing fallen trees, raising canopies and clearing tree deb ris out of ponds. It is a long process but showing big imp rovements already. We were lucky enough to discover a great crested newt under one of the b ridges. A p rotected species and one we will not disturb, but it is great to know of som ething that is benefiting from the ponds and surrounding wetland area. Going forward we will make som e log stacks for them to hiberna te in that are close to the ponds.
In the next few w eeks, I will be concentrating on the winter cutback, where w e cut down the dense bankside vegetation that has built up over the summer. This will give the opportunity to monitor erosion and allow the vegetation to grow unhindered in spring. I will also be looking at hedges, canopies, and winter tree work.
Chris Chris.charman1@nationaltrust.org.uk
Stoke: I have been out on the towpath recently pruning over-hanging branches and some smaller problem trees towards town with my volunteer group, along with some litter picking both on the water and the towpath. Sadly, the litter this year has been particularly bad compared to last, but it is so satisfying to see the difference when it’s done. With the weather still very mild, the vegetation along the river continues growing meaning that grass cutti ng and strimming is needed, with the lock sides and moorings feeling a long way from the last cut of the season. Alongside the usual grass cutting I’m also starting my winter cut back of vegetation along the riverbank to clear way for the healthy new growth in the spring. With the wetter weather now also creeping in we are beginning to see the return of the weir operations. I’ve had a well-earned break from them over the dry summer, but it will soon be back to the late nights and early mornings controlling the water levels. Despite the hours, it’s definitely a unique part of the job that I really enjoy.
I’ve made a new friend in the form of a Kingfisher that visits Stoke Lock and can regularly be seen sitting on the lower landing. We also see lots of Grey Wagtails swooping in and around the lock. Always a pleasure to watch!
James James.dodd@nationaltrust.org.uk
Triggs: Over the summ er months we had very low flows on the river, meaning that I had to add additional boards on the weirs to maintain water levels, something that hasn’t been done on my section of the Navigation in over 10 years, and I’m still cutting grass on the lock sides into November!
What will the weather be like over winter is the million-dollar question, will it be wetter and colder than normal to keep up the trend of the year so far?
Work on the Navigation changes with the seasons, as we come into autumn and winter my p rima ry role is operating the weirs to maintain water levels and reduce flood risk. The change of the season also means a change in sleeping patterns, with more disturbed nights and having to go out 24/7 to adjust weirs. When not operating weirs the winter p rogram of work begins:
Offside Cutback: Cutting back the trees and bushes on the ‘offside’ that have grown into the navigation. Embankment clearing: On rotation ov er the years sections of perched embankment are cleared to allow us to visually inspect the embankment. Winter cut back: Vegeta tion along the towpath is strimmed flat, this allows us to see the navigation edges o ver winter, allowing us to inspect and repair damage.
Hedge Cutting: Out of nesting season hedge cutting can easily be done at this time of year.
All of these winter jobs could not be done without the support of my volunteers. I have a wonderful group who regularly help with a ll of the work on my length, often with short notice changes due to rain and weir operations. A big thank you to them all.
Jason Jason.pacey@nationaltrust.org.uk
Walsham: It’s a busy time for wildlife and the weather which means busy days and another busy month for me. The new normal of unpredictable weather and less distinct seasons makes planning my work even trickier, as things are both growing and shutting down for the season at the same time.
I’ve made a start on the winter cut back, strimming the vegetation right down to ensure less vigorous plants get their chance in the sun next year. With confused sp ring and summer flowers blooming still and being enjoyed by the bees that are making the most of the mild weather, I’ve made a start at Pyrfo rd this year. There were less flowers out on that section and the good amounts of ivy provide an alterna tive late nectar source, so hopefully the bees won’t be too cross with me.
The mowing is still in full flow, as best I can while dodging the showers. I’m waiting for the magic 4° when the grass stops growing but at the moment that’s not shaping up to b e any time soon. I think I’m on course for another Ch ristmas Eve behind my mower.
I, along with my lovely volunteers, have been getting some coppicing and dead hedging done on the Walsham mooring line and I’ve given the hedge below the weirs a bit of a reduction and tidy up. I’ve had a little bit of fencing that needed attention and weirs to manage through some heavy rains so, as usual, no 2 days are the same.
Hopefully, you have noticed that the pennywort is being kept somewhat at bay this year. My small volunteer team and I have spent nearly 400 hours since January pulling and repulling tonnes of the stuff and it has made a real impact. If we get a decent frosty winter the growth should die back a decent amount but cold or mild, I’ll still be keeping an eye on it, and I suspect we are nowhere near done for the year yet.
Emma Emma.goodwin@nationaltrust.org.uk
New Haw: So winter is getting closer, although it's still on occasions warm enough to be out in t-shirts (just)!
I have started on the winter cut back and o ffside cut back, which is where we cut back all the to wpath vegetation, both waterside and at the back of the towpath, so that I can check for leaks, remove any tree saplings and give a clean bill of health for next year's growth. At the same time on a 3 -year rotation I cut back the perched em bankments (these are navigation banks that are higher than the natural ground around them) and any offside over-hanging trees.
This is also a time where I do tree works and inspections, as well as tree planting and think about projects for next year.
As always, I'd like to thank all my amazing volunteers that come out and help / have fun and give their time.
We meet on Mondays and Wednesdays and if you’d like to join us, please email for m ore information.
Steve steve.valiant@nationaltrust.org.uk
Tristan Brown General Manager – Wey Navigations
Thames Lock Opening times
From the 1st January the opening times for Thames Lock are now:
January: Pre-booked only 24hrs in advance. The office will otherwise not be staffed.
February 1st – March 15th: Lock passage limited to 2hrs per day from 10.0012.00 with the ability to book a return journey outside these hours. To be agreed locally with the lock keeper at the point of passage.
March 16th – Sept 30th : Full day opening. 9.30-17.30. Closed 13.00-14.00
October: Lock passage will be limited to 2 hrs per day from 10.00-12.00 with the exception of half term where it will open for an extended period
November: Lock passage will be limited to 2hrs per day with the ability to book a return journey outside these hours. To agreed locally with the lock keeper at the point of passage
December: Pre-booked only 24hrs in advance. The office will otherwise not be staffed
Guildford Flood Alleviation Scheme
The River Wey runs in a narrow channel through Guildford town centre and Guildford has a long history of flooding. The Scheme is a joint project by Guildford Borough Council, the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council and aims to reduce the flood risk to homes, businesses and infrastructure in the town centre. Detailed proposals have now been released for work between the town centre and Dapdune.
Raised flood barriers are proposed for some locations, with flood gates. Because the high banks restrict the water flow it is proposed that banks be lowered in some locations to increase the capacity of the channel in flood conditions. This is proposed for part of Portsmouth Road car park and the bank beside the Law Courts and these areas would be public open spaces under normal conditions.
A new footbridge is proposed at Millmead to avoid the flow restriction caused by the three small brick arches on the East side and it is proposed that the decorative ironwork be removed from the underside of Town Bridge to avoid the flow restriction in flood conditions.
Although recently completed, the footbridge at Walnut Tree Close is earmarked for modification. The massive concrete ramp on the east side is considered to be a potential flow restriction, and it is proposed to replace it with an elevated walkway.
In addition to flood alleviation, it is hoped that the scheme will improve access to the river from the town and "connect the town to the river".
There have been public exhibitions about the scheme with posters showing maps, diagrams and sketches and these are available athttps://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/guildford-floodalleviation-scheme .
The Environment Agency would welcome public comments on the scheme.
Wey and Arun Canal Trust
WACT News
Rooks Hill –
As the pictures show, there has been rapid progress in building the new bridge, excavating the new canal cut south to near the site of Fanesbridge Lock and relocating the outfall of the culvert under the canal. As we were going to print the formwork for the bridge deck was being installed and it is planned to pour the concrete deck in February. Trust engineer Nigel Yarwood explains: “Our canal’s original bridges and aqueducts, some of which survive, were either all brick or (especially at the south end of the canal), a combination of brick and stone. We could never build an allbrick bridge at Rooks Hill, given both the high labour content and the limited resources available to construct the relatively complex brickwork and associated centring required to form the arch.
The new bridge over the reinstated canal at Rooks Hill, while not carrying a public highway, is a continuation of the farm track and bridleway, and is required to support a 40-tonne vehicle. We are not seeking to duplicate an original bridge here, as it replaces a more humble swing bridge. The external appearance of the bridge is aimed to echo rather than replicate the appearance of the original bridges on the canal as designed and built by Josias Jessop, with a featured brick-faced structure including a shallow arch between vertical abutments. In this respect it matches the bridge at Gennets Bridge Lock that we built in 2013 and it reuses that bridge’s original constructional arch formwork system. To give the traditional appearance, brickwork features such as the arch rings, string course, piers and pilasters are incorporated. Behind the brickwork cladding, which is non structural, lies a concrete structure which has mass (unreinforced) concrete foundations and abutments and a reinforced concrete deck above. This form was
devised to make the construction as straightforward and economical as possible for us. We hoped that the foundations and ab utments would be constructed during a summer camp, and they were.
One disadvantage of cladding a structure with brickwork is the need for accurate adherence to multiples of brick dimensions in all directions. The formwork design and detailing were challenging, although most of the preparation could be done before the summer camp. In the event the summer camp was an extraordinary success, with the foundations and abutments being completed in a two-week period. Since the summer, working parties have been placing the brickwork cladding around the abutments, building the wing walls and preparing to construct the reinforced concrete bridge deck which can be achieved at a more leisurely pace using our wide ranging volunteer skills. The brickwork cladding of the arch span is more complex to the extent that the bricks forming the curved arch will be supported on a curved steel angle cast into the deck and the parapet above is integrated into the reinforced concrete deck in the form of a brick sandwich with concrete and reinforcement between the inner and outer skin anchored into the deck. The new track was required to meet current bridleway limitations of a maximum 1-in-12 slope even though the original slope was, in parts, steeper. This has required some careful realignment of the track in order to gain approval for the bridleway diversion. On the south side of the bridge, the new course of the canal veers towards its original alignment where it runs over Ridings Brook which is retained within its original brick culvert. The east bank of the canal needs to be vertical to achieve this realignment, and the design has made use of pre-cast blocks which, like children’s “Lego” bricks, have recesses below and projections above so that an interlocking structure can be quickly formed. Each block is lifted into place using a lifting pin cast into it. The blocks are laid on a concrete base, with concrete poured between them to create a solid structure. The exposed face above the waterline is faced with gabion cages filled with stone to provide a softer exposed edge to the canal. As the new canal over the culvert is still slightly to the east of its original alignment, the culvert outfall has been extended by 3.5 metres and a substantial new headwall constructed which is brick clad to blend into the surroundings”.
Rooks Hill on TV
On Wednesday 7th January BBC One’s TV programme “Morning Live” featured the Newbury Working Party Group, (affiliated to the Waterway Recovery Group) helping us out last summer in the early stages of our Rooks Hill project. The item concerned “voluntourism” - free or low cost volunteering breaks at a work camp. WRG volunteers are seen hard at it, notably at the rebuilding of the culvert outfall, and also out of hours at their living and sleeping accommodation at Kirdford Village Hall. Bill Nicholson was interviewed (and seen serving breakfasts). Tuesday Group v olunteer Graham Hawkes also featured and there were several views of the restored canal. The item is available on BBC iPlayer, an hour and two minutes from the start.
River Thames News
The long term effects of underfunding on the Thames are beginning to bite. Structures that were identified for improvement or replacement up to three years ago, were put on hold due to either lack of funds or the cutting monies from Defra during the financial year, are now failing. These often cause unplanned disruption to navigation or poorly planned works. Temple Footbridge being the latest example.
The good news is that some derelict boats have been removed at enormous cost to the EA.
I have heard from some boaters who have noticed the effects of the lack of lock keepers when navigating the Thames. In particular, they were unhappy at the number of self-service locks needing hand winding.
Let's hope that the current excess rainfall will ease before too much flooding occurs. When last I looked the whole of the Thames was on “Red Boards”
Photo Courtesy: Maidenhead Advertiser
Paddle UK
A New Vision for Water – Defra White Paper
Presented to Parliament in January this year, the White Paper sets out the aims for transforming the water system to provide a clean domestic water supply, and unpolluted rivers, lakes and seas. The White Paper is posted at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-new-vision-for-water-white-paper
Verna Smith
The Clean Water Sports Alliance (CWSA) which represents Paddle UK and other national governing bodies for water-based activities across England and Wales, has written to the Water Minister Emma Hardy. The Alliance urged the government to embed stronger protections for public health and recreational water users into forthcoming water legislation.
The CWSA has also commentedthat theWhitePaperislightondelivery detail,lacksclarityandleavesmajorquestionsunansweredabout what will change in practice and when. Whilst pleased to see the paper reference public health throughout, however it was far from clear whether these references related to drinking water, or to the much wider issue of the impact of pollution on water users. Does it place a statutory duty on the new water regulator and water companies to protect and improve public health for all water users?
Furthermore, Paddle UK has said:
High river levels again
At the time of writing there is another period of storms, high flows on many if not most rivers and unsuitable conditions for paddling in January with every prospect of continuing into February.
Fortunately, there are still places to paddle with several canalised waterways unaffected by these conditions. In the Thames region there is the Basingstoke Canal, sections of the Wey Navigation, Wey & Arun Canal and Grand Union Canal. This explainsthe increased paddling activity on these waterways when high flows prevail.
Photo Courtesy: Mike Lewis Kevin East Voluntary Waterways & Environment Project Officer
Surrey Care Trust
Swingbridge Community boats provide a wonderful experience peoplewho have limited mobility or special needs.
The excursions run from Dapdune Wharf throughout the spring, summer and early autumn. is specifically adapted with a wheelchair lift,so it is fully accessible for people with limited mobility. www.surreycaretrust.org.uk
Kent & East Sussex Branch
Chairman’s Piece
The Branch AGM this year will again be held by Zoom. I look back with nostalgia to the time when we had a good attendance at our in-person AGMs in either Maidstone or Tonbridge, with social meetings in Gravesend and Strood. Presently our branch committee has dwindled to a very small number of faithful supporters. I do hope that I might encourage members new and old to consider joining us via the medium of the AGM, to seek a meeting of like minds and to discuss the sort of activities that members would like to see organised in the year ahead. If someone has a flair for organising social events that would be even better! We have this year arranged just one meeting, which is to be held at Strood on Thursday 12th March. I hope to see you there.
We are still short of volunteers who are involved or familiar with waterways local to them and who are able to let us know of circumstances that would be of interest to other members or concerns that might benefit from publication in IWA media. Volunteers receive copies of committee correspondence to be aware of issues of general interest, but are not required to attend meetings. The role is very much what each one wishes to make of it. Waterways not currently covered are…
Dartford and Crayford Navigation
The Lower Thames, in particular Broadness Cruising Club and Northfleet harbour
The Swale and its creeks, especially Faversham
The River Rother
I am again inviting members to apply for tickets for a boat trip on the Kentish River Stour embarking from Grove Ferry. Arrangements will be similar to ones that were made for the trip last year which had to be cancelled due to a failure of the batteries which powered the boat. Peter Wilkinson
Obituary - Angela Acott
Angela Acott died on 18th December 2025, following a long illness and ultimately a period of nursing home care, with frequent visits from her husband David. Angela and David were stalw art members of the Thames & Medway Canal Association (TMCA) and the Kent and East Sussex branch of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) since these bodies were established in the mid-1970s.
Angela became an IWA life member in 1977. She was Events Secretary for both TMCA and IWA for most of the time since then. As well as arranging speakers for their meetings at Gravesend Sailing Club, she and David staffed the TMCA stall
which they took to numerous local community gatherings. She was also a member of the Lancaster Canal Trust, Wey & Arun Canal Trust, Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, Pocklington Canal Amenity Society, and the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal Society.
Angela was born on 26th January 1942, in the middle of the war, in the house of a registered nurse that was subsequently sold to a photographic company. Angela attended art college and was a very proficient photographer (in the days when that included developing films and making prints). She spoke with people and thus accessed locations that others missed, such as the last lighter trade to the Vitbe Mill on the Dartford and Crayford Navigation.
The vicar who conducted her funeral service at St Nicholas Church in Strood told of Angela's long involvement in that Church and its Mother's Union and said that, whatever the situation, Angela never lost her sense of humour.
Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust
SORT is winding up due to lack of future projects and volunteers. Succession planning with the landowners is completed and all planned work at Isfield (Sutton Hall) lock is complete.
SORT is distributing its assets to other charities with similar objectives. Its digital records have been acquired by “The Keep” (East Sussex and Brighton and Hove County Record Office). Its hard-copy records (especially agendas and the minutes of general and Committee meetings) are being prepared for archiving.
It is intended the “Winding-Up” will be formalised by a resolution at an AGM to be held by Zoom at 8 pm on Monday 23rd February 2026.
Thames & Medway Canal Association
We have cleared much of the vegetation overgrowing the towpath and surrounds at Shorne Mead Crossing and at long last the footbridge at the end of Queens Farm Road is completed.
It gives easy access to the more pleasant areas of the towpath, including our new picnic area, which is a great spot to sit at the bench, look at the water in the winding hole or beyond to the distant fort and relax for a while.
UK Power Networks has established a base in the field behind our Top-up Pump Enclosure. The most recent piece of large equipment was a massive machine similar to a giant’s corkscrew. The only access is along the towpath, which has resulted in the towpath sinking, with verges ploughed up and muddy. The damage is usually repaired promptly. But the path has no firm foundations and is looking very patchy. Hopefully it will not fail completely, dumping the vehicle into the canal.
Dave Parnell
River Adur news from Nick Owen
After many years as IWA volunteer for the Adur, Brendan Whelan has chosen to retire, and I have stepped into his post. So, let me start by thanking Brendan for all he has done for the Adur, and for imparting much valuable knowledge.
There has been good progress recently. First, following last summer’s decision to uphold the rights of access to the public hard at Stowes Gap in Shoreham, Adur District Council has approved plans and budgets for a flood defence that will protect the town, and hopefully allow genuine public access for launching. This is a complex situation, as the right of way crosses private land owned by the Sussex Yacht Club, and there is no in-situ parking for public launching. At present, Stowes Gap is blocked by boats and mobile buildings; one sign says it is a public hard, while an adjacent one says it is private land! I hope to work with stakeholders to encourage a solution that works for all.
Secondly, a replacement for the White Bridge, a footbridge built in 1903 that linked Steyning to Upper Beeding but had fallen into disrepair, was opened in November. The river is tidal and navigable well beyond this point. This part of the Adur also has footpaths on both banks, so the new bridge permits circular walks with a selection of pubs as a start/finish point. In these challenging times, it is good to see our waterways receiving investment so that we can enjoy them.
Finally, an effort appears to be underway to deal with abandoned boats, of which there are many. Notices have been attached, and it is hoped that these boats will be removed, as their presence does not really support the cause of boating on the river with the wider public.
River Medway news from Mike Marsh
With regular heavy rain, the River Medway is often in flood in the winter months so there are not many movements by boats/rowers etc on the river and, of course, traditionally these months are a time for maintenance and planning for the year ahead when conditions improve.
The EA team rescued narrowboat recently. The boat had broken free from its moorings upstream of Sluice Weir during the high flows and then broke through the orange booms at the Sluice and hit the bridge over the Sluice gate. Had the boat been a little bit lower it would have hit the Sluice gate. This would have been a major incident, as it could have damaged a flood structure and/or sunk the vessel across the gates. Two members of the Navigation team attended the incident and very quickly and calmly managed to attach a rope to the stern. They then used a petrol winch to drag the boat to safety. It is now on the upstream moorings waiting for the flows to decrease before returning to its own mooring.
All vessels on Environment Agency waterways must be registered by law. Unregistered vessels may face fines and/or removal. Visitor registrations are available at Allington Lock or Tonbridge Castle. The enforcement team has been actively ensuring compliance as listed below…..
• 148 Boat Registration Cases Closed
• £59,940 in Recovered Income
• 3 Boats Seized Under Article 16 of the Inland Waterways Order
• £2,000 Recovered from Seized Boat Sales
• 1 Boat Seized with Kent Police Support Under 1911 Medway Byelaws
• 82% Compliance Rate
• 7 Offending Boats selected for prosecution
The EA Navigation team worked in partnership with Kent Police to remove a vessel from Maidstone town centre that was attracting children and drug dealing. The police were very concerned about the effects of this and had a warrant to search the vessel. Upon carrying this out the boat was removed using the EA’s powers and will be disposed of at a later date.
Water from the River Medway is abstracted at an inlet at Yalding by Southern Water and pumped to Bewl Water via other pumping stations such as Smallbridge. Pumping occurs during the winter when the Medway’s flow exceeds 275 million litres per day. Over 17 km of piping was installed for the scheme. In January 2022, Southern Water completed a £3 million project to install fish-friendly "eel screens" at the Yalding abstraction site to protect migratory eels and other aquatic life. Following a request to EA Navigation team from Southern Water to look at low abstraction rates, the EA dredger team surveyed the intake at Yalding. After dredging operations abstraction rates have now doubled. The site was also cleared of undergrowth. As a result of these initial works the EA Navigation Team is going to set up an annual maintenance contract with Southern Water and are also looking at carrying out further works to the inside of the inlet. This is a great partnership and also helps bring money into an already tight EA Navigation budget.
The EA Team was called to the Lucifer Bridge area of Tonbridge after some trees had fallen under it and were blocking the river. The team worked quickly and again, managed to use the petrol winch to get them out of the river. Trees blocking the river in Tonbridge cause it to back up and can increase flood risk.
Urgent works to Gate 2 at East Farleigh Sluice have been successfully completed. With Gate 2 restored to automatic operation, river levels can once again be effectively regulated to support navigation and reduce flood risk during periods of high flow. This represents a significant step in maintaining the safety and reliability of the sluice system. Gate 1 remains out of service. Comprehensive works are scheduled for spring 2026 to fully restore its operation. Until then, the repair of Gate 2 provides assurance that river levels can continue to be managed safely.
The is currently undergoing her annual dry docking and inspection at Cuxton, beginning with a hull pressure wash.
Congratulations to Nick Kennedy and the team for winning a High Street Heros 2025 award in the Entertainment/Leisure Category. The Maidstone High Street Heroes awards recognize, celebrate, and reward local town centre businesses and employees for outstanding customer service. It is sponsored by Gullards Solicitors in partnership with One Maidstone BID and Metro Bank.
Future IWAKES and Other Events
Tuesday 10th February 2026: 7.15 for 7.30pm: By Zoom: “Kent & East Sussex Branch Annual General Meeting” The agenda is in the Autumn 2025 edition of Cargoes. There is no need to register in advance. Just <Ctrl-Click> the following link after 7.15pm…. https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/89948217644/invitations?signature=1m8uPC 6WcuyG2jbaVzGL8SoEl-xbUJIcLxZYmhJPB_E
Thursday 12th March 2026: 7.30 for 8.00pm: Strood Yacht Club, Knight Road, Strood. ME2 2AH: “The Little Ships of Dunkirk and the Kentish River Stour ”: Illustrated talk by Colin Carr: Colin was the Harbour Master at Sandwich Port and Haven Authority up to 2018, when he retired after 15 years’ service. Colin acquired his "Little Ship", called which continues currently to operate out of Plucks Gutter (The Dog and Duck Inn) on the tidal waters of the Kentish River Stour under the company name of "Captain Colin's River Bus". The , built in 1939, was one of the Dunkirk Little Ships that rescued soldiers from France in 1940. She proudly joined the crossing to Dunkirk and back as part of the 85th Anniversary in 2025.
Thursday 8th July 2026: 12.00 to 13.00pm and 13.00 to 14.00pm: Grove Ferry Inn, Grove Ferry Road, Upstreet, Kent. CT3 4BP: “River Kentish Stour - Boat Trip”:
IWAKES has booked two consecutive “one-hour trips” to see the river and beaver lodges (though not the beavers themselves, which come out only at night). IWA members (and up to one guest) are welcome to join either trip. The trips are free, but contributions on the day are welcomed.
If you booked for a postponed 2025 trip then you will be transferred to a 2026 trip. Remaining places will then be allocated to members making new 2026 bookings. Please make reservations (first come, first served) in advance with Malcolm Hasler: Malcolm.Hasler@waterways.org.uk or 07734 905021
Stagecoach bus 8, Canterbury to Margate, passes Sturry rail station and stops just East of Upstreet village with a ten minutes walk down the rather steep Grove Ferry Hill to the river. You should park in the Grove Ferry Inn car park (not the Kent County Council one) and register your car number plate at the Inn bar on arrival. Parking is free whether or not you buy food or drink, but the Inn serves good food, which should be ordered from the bar only after the boat trip. You may bring your own refreshments on board the boat. The boat trip starts and ends from the decking on the riverside of the Inn. Please arrive five minutes before departure.
Places are limited to two per member. But facilities at Grove Ferry, for those who cannot join the boat, include a picnic and play area, canoe hire and refreshments. Upstream and over the road is Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve. https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/kent-country-parks/find-a-kentcountry-park/grove-ferry-picnic-site
Saturday 18th July 2026 – Meeting at 11.00 am: “Walk along the River Adur at Upper Beeding”: Starting from the Rising Sun pub, Upper Beeding, West Sussex, BN44 3TN. Route around 2.25 miles, ending at the Rising Sun where meals will be available. Full details will be given in the Summer 2026 edition of Cargoes. Please contact Nick Owen ( nowen2313@gmail.com ) to book a place.
Saturday 25th July 2026 – All day, with evening fireworks: Between the bridges in Maidstone Town Centre: “Maidstone River Festival”: https://www.maidstoneriverfestival.com
Oxfordshire Branch
As I write this in very early January I hope that the winter continues with the relatively benign weather we have had so far, with sufficient rain to replenish the reservoir and ground water reserves without any flooding either. Weather patterns that will hopefully enable drought free boating this coming season.
We have arranged the branch AGM to be an in person meeting on Saturday 18th April 2026 10:30am for formal AGM start at 11:00am at: The Boat Inn, Canal Road, Thrupp, Kidlington OX5 1JY . Light refreshments will be available and of course the opportunity to enjoy the excellent pub food and drinks after the meeting. Please book direct with the pub.
The AGM will conduct the usual formal business in accordance with the articles of the association.
As the IWA enters its octogintennial year (80th for those of you who aren’t crossword or wordle fanatics) the relevance of the IWA and its campaigning message has never been stronger given the growing value of the waterways for recreation and novel uses such as water transfer yet the growing crisis of the reliability of operation of the waterways arising from the funding for maintenance shortfalls and pressures from climate change.
This need for the IWA to grow in strength re-enforces the need for a few more branch members to volunteer to help run the branch and activities if not actually take up formal committee positions.
So, at the risk of repeating last year's plea please help us so that the branch can continue to function, can achieve more and can protect our waterways better. If you aren’t able to attend the AGM but could help out then please contact me. I look forward to seeing you at the AGM and on the stands we are hoping to man at the at the Oxford and Banbury Canal Festivals in 2026. Oxford is due to be 19th September, and Banbury 3rd and 4th October.
Ian.Lindsay@waterways.org.uk . Ian Lindsay
Oxfordshire Branch Chair
Tooley’s Boatyard Trust
Despite the canal being closed during Banbury Canal Festival (first weekend of October) we managed to turn the dry dock into an indoor non-floating market by day, and a magical music venue by night - resulting in many happy traders and many happy visitors. The weather on Saturday was particularly atrocious and overall festival numbers were down, but there was no
evidence of that at the yard, with a seemingly endless flow of guests through the gates, donating over £4000 to our Keep Tooley’s Afloat campaign.
At long last the canal reopened, much to our relief and we have had a steady stream of dockings and repairs since then, with Matt and his amazing team – Ems, Jacob, Jez, Simon, Nathan and Candy - working too many hours to catch up on the backlog of jobs.
The Forge and our blacksmith Ems have been very involved in a collaboration with Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum and will become a new exhibit to be opened in March/April featuring traditional bronze casting techniques from the Nigerian city of Benin. There will be a sister exhibit at our museum too, and we are looking forward to a long and fruitful association with Pitt Rivers.
In other museum news we have recently acquired a great deal of the old Tooley’s Yard correspondence and paperwork – including many letters written by Tom Rolt discussing the Cressy building, painting and restoration - which we are currently archiving and cataloguing. We are also making a thorough index and catalogue of our huge collection of historical boat building tools and machinery.
Boatyard boss, Matt Armitage, who never seems to stop working, has very nearly completed a major piece of historical research into the yard. After a recent visit to Ellesmere Port and viewing their archive, he has been able to prove the yards continual use for traditional boat building since 1795, with documentary evidence of use and ownership from that day to the present.
This confirms what we have long suspected – that Tooley’s is the oldest inland waterways dry dock in Great Britain, and hence quite possibly the world! Great work by Matt, cementing Tooley’s as a site of terrific national historical importance.
December saw a change of Chair at the Trust, with John Madden stepping down after many years of hard work and devotion. John deserves a massive thank you for his hugely significant part in saving Tooley’s -the world’s oldest inland waterways dry dock -from being crushed by developers and replaced with a shopping precinct. New Year’s Honour list level of commitment and achievement. Richard Guard is the new Chair –this is he writing –owner of the Village Butty and Dipper (which you might remember from The Idle Women book). With John holding my hand we are hoping to steer the boatyard safely to its 250th birthday in 2028 and beyond. As long as there’s some water in the canal. Ironically at time of writing the canal is closed again –due to too much water. Would you believe it!
But as I like to say -May the locks always be in your favour, and your Elsan always empty!
Tooley’s –The World’s oldest continually working inland waterways dry dock! You heard it here first.
Photos Courtesy: Alexandra Durrant Richard Guard Chair
Jericho Living Heritage Trust
Kilsby Boat Project awarded £210,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore historic Oxford canal boat
The Jericho Living Heritage Trust is delighted to announce an award of £210,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore , a canal boat built in 1912, and to relaunch it as an accessible floating hub for arts, heritage, and community activity on the Oxford Canal. has been in use on the inland waterways for 113 years, one off 24 originally commissioned by the canalcarrying company, Fellows Morton and Clayton, with a tiny back cabin providing living quarters for the family who navigated it. Having survived two world wars, eventually became a residential boat in Oxford city centre. Most historic boats of this calibre remain in private ownership. This funding not only secures the vessel’s heritage, but supports a future in which it is readily accessedand cared for by the community.
Volunteers, individual donors, local businesses, civic leaders, and charities have made generous and ongoing contributions in cash and kind since 2019, when was donated to the trust in a salvageable but uninhabitable condition. This funding will bring back into active use, offering opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with canal heritage in whatever way is most meaningful for them. With the support of volunteers, local schools, and community groups, the programme will include boat trips, festivals, creative workshops, performing arts, an d heritage skills training.
Mark Davies, Chair of the Jericho Living Heritage Trust, said:
Wilts & Berks Canal Trust
Winter is usually a quiet time for boating, but as always we offered Santa trips on our trip boat , running through December. These brought in useful income to the Trust but the greater value was the fun our passengers had, not least when Santa’s trousers fell down one day! More seriously, we have a reputation for good quality presents, bringing us many return clients and much-needed favourable exposure.
Otherwise, our restorations have continued along the same lines, most visibly at Pewsham, which is now attracting more interest. Phase 2 of the new canal in Wichelstowe is also garnering attention, including amongst local Councillors. Organisationally, we have now signed Memoranda of Understandings with various District Councils and Swindon Borough Council and are working on the two County Councils, intending to do the same in 2026.
A major challenge has been the SESRO (South East Reservoir Strategic Option) proposal for a new reservoir near Abingdon-on-Thames, which is set to
inundate several Kilometres of the canal line. We had been having good engagement with Thames Water’s planning team on a suitable bypass, but the actual proposal put out for consultation was disappointing for us, in that although it allows for a channel to be constructed to take the line around the reservoir, it would not be lined or have the necessary locks. The works would also greatly impede the canal’s construction, contrary to the terms of the protection the line currently enjoys. The consultation has just closed; we have made representations not only to Thames Water but have also asked our Members to do likewise. We have also engaged extensively with local Councils; all we can do now is to wait in hope for a favourable outcome, many months hence. Watch this space!
Next year, 2027, will be the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Wilts & Berks Amenity Group, our precursor. We are looking at various ways to celebrate this – more of that anon.
Chris Barry Comms Secretary, Wilts & Berks Canal Trust
Mikron Theatre Group
The 2026 Season will start soon. Please visit the Mikron Website for more information. www.mikron.org.uk
The Puppet Theatre Barge
It is not possible to include all the events The Puppet Theatre Barge has planned. Please visit their website for up to date information.
Website: www.puppetbarge.com
IWA
Canalway Cavalcade
IWA Canalway Cavalcade returns to London’s Little Venice on Saturday 2 nd May 2026 for the full early May Bank Holiday weekend. Each year we celebrate the best of life on the waterways in London and its community at IWA Canalway Cavalcade.
Canalway Cavalcade is IWA’s premier fund-raising event of the year, and is organised for the Association by Inland Waterways Enterprises Ltd, IWA’s whollyowned subsidiary trading company. Boat bookings are now open –download the booking form here. Please contact Mike Moore on mike.moore@waterways.org.uk or 07545 546865 for boat booking enquiries. Please contact cavalcade.trade@waterways.org.uk for trader enquiries. There’s something for everyone at IWA Canalway Cavalcade; a vibrant canal festival in the heart of London’s waterways. Whether visiting by boat or on foot, it’s
a splendid day out for you and your famil y. Soak up the atmosphere surrounded by colourful craft of all shapes and sizes, alongside a multitude of unique stalls, an onsite bar, and delicious foods for all appetites.
Each year we celebrate the best of life on the waterways and its community. With eclectic live music around the site, special boating activities like the legendary illuminated procession, and kids’ entertainment for all ages. You’ll also find amazing art from local schools on display, and plenty of opportunities to get involved at IWA Canalway Cavalcade. We are currently looking for volunteers for the event – could you be one? Get in touch with us for more information.
Event Opening Times: Saturday and Sunday 10.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. (plus illuminated boat procession, from 9.00 p.m. Sunday evening) and Monday 10.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m.
Please note that the festival site is within London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, details of which can be found on the TFL website.
The following Awards will be presented during the weekend:
THE MARCUS BOUDIER TROPHY: For the best decorated privately entered boat in Saturday’s themed pageant.
THE RAY DUNFORD BUCKBY CAN TROPHY: For the best decorated boat entered by a waterway or community group.
THE CRUISE ELECTRIC TROPHY: For the best illuminated boat in Sunday evening’s procession.
THE GRAHAM CAPELIN AWARD: For the best entry by a boater who has not previously taken part in either the Saturday pageant or illuminated boats.
THE WESTMINSTER TROPHY: Donated by the City of Westminster for the winner of the Boat Handling Competition.
THE ROGER SQUIRES TROPHY: Presented by St Pancras Cruising Club in recognition of Roger’s 10 years as their Commodore. It is awarded to the best novice competitor in the Boat Handling Competition.
THE VIC TROTT MEMORIAL TROPHY: Open to boaters and non-boaters.
Awarded to the couple in the best “Boaters’ Sunday Best” costume.
THE MIKE STEVENS MEMORIAL TROPHY: Goes to the Best Boat at IWA Canalway Cavalcade, selected from all the boat entries at the event. It is awarded in recognition of Mike’s outstanding contribution to IWA and IWA Canalway Cavalcade during his lifetime.
THE IDLE WOMEN SHIELD: Sponsored by Jan Knox, proprietor of Canal Experience Training School. The shield will be awarded to the best female entrant in the Boat Handling Competition.
London Region
London Region Socials (Combined with North and East London Branch)
Our IWA London Region Socials have been on hold for various reasons and our plan to alternate these with webinars has not yet been possible to organise. However, we plan to restart these soon. The first of these will be on the 3 rd Tuesday of the month in April at the London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Road, N1 9RT.
Tuesday 21st April 2026
7.30pm North & East London Branch AGM
8.00pm “Exploring Fenland Waterways” Talk by Simon Judge
We have tea, coffee and soft drinks available beforehand, from about 7pm, and in the break. Some of us usually go to a local pub for a drink afterwards and all are welcome to join us.
If you would like to be added to my circulation and are not on the IWA London Region circulation please email me as follows: Libby Bradshaw libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk 07956 655037
South London Branch
Last summer I mentioned we had decided to hold our East Croydon socials on alternate months due to the lower attendance recently and some problems we were experiencing with the venue. In June we held a discussion at and about the venue and the future of branch socials. It was decided to cease the meetings at East Croydon for the time being and look at some possible outings for branch members instead which might hold more appeal.
The first of these was held at the London Museum of Steam and Water, more widely known as the Kew Bridge Engines Trust. We were a small group and visited on a weekend when the engines were in steam, Sunday 23rd November. On these weekends the engines are fired up throughout the day, some at specific times so it is as well to check in planning a visit. Richard Albanese, shown in the picture, is the Project Manager and supports a team of volunteers maintaining and firing up the engines. When a group of us went on the Clyde Puffer, VIC 32, in September 2023 he was chief engineer. For more information see https://waterandsteam.org.uk/
Other outings we are planning include a trip on the River Thames, a visit to the new Lifeboat station at Wandsworth Riverside Pier, due to open in the summer and a visit to Crossness Pumping Station when in steam (Sundays only). Dates for these will be circulated to the membership once they are decided. Expressions of interest would be useful so please contact me at libby.bradshaw@ursa.me.uk or on 07956 655037.
On Wednesday 8th April we will be holding our AGM with refreshments and an update on all that is happening on the River Thames and our branch area including an update on our new Lifeboat station at Wandsworth. Venue is not yet certain, please check with Libby Bradshaw nearer the time.
Towpath Walks Group
The Start time for all Walks is 2.30pm. Normal charge: £20. Seniors (65+) and Student rate: £15. Children aged 16 and over, accompanied by parents: £15. A Walkabout card is available for adults, seniors, students and children aged 16 and over accompanied by adults. They cost £5 to buy, are valid for 6 months and holders get £5 off every other walk they take. Children aged 8 – 15, accompanied by parents: £5 (Children under 8, accompanied by parents, go for free). Prior booking is mandatory: Please contact London Walks: 020 7624 3978. Or email: london@walks.com. It is Very Important to watch the IWA website - www.waterways.org.uk - or the London Walks website – www.walks.com – for any late changes to the walk.
Towpath Walks Group is looking for volunteers to guide small parties of walkers on short walks along towpaths. This introduces newcomers to the pleasant world of waterways. It is also a good way of recruiting new members to IWA. No experience? No problem, we’ll brief you.
Sat 28th Feb: The secrets of the Northern Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Meet Stratford (Westfield / QEOP exit: by the Pret a Manger sign)
Sun 1st Mar: Regent’s Canal: Mile End – Limehouse. Meet Mile End
Sun 15th Mar: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross - Granary Square – St. Pancras. Meet King’s Cross (meet by Taxi Queue sign, next to outdoor Pret a Manger)
Sun 5th Apr: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross to Canal Museum Circular Tour (includes visit to Museum). Meet King’s Cross (meet by Taxi Queue sign, next to outdoor Pret a Manger)
Sun 19th Apr: Limehouse – Thames – Docklands. Meet Westferry (DLR)(by Cycle Hire Point)
Sun 3rd May: Regent’s Canal: R. Tyburn – Little Venice. Meet Baker St (Baker St north/Lords exit)
Sun 17th May: Four Hundred Years of the New River. Meet Manor House (Finsbury Park exit 6)
Sun 24th May: Regent’s Canal: Mile End – Limehouse. Meet Mile End
Fund Britain’s Waterways
Fund Britain’s Waterways Update, January 2026
New Chair for FBW: FBW has a new Chair, Hazel Owen, who also chairs the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs. Hazel, a very experienced boater, organised and led the monumental FBW campaign cruise over the spring and summer of 2025 from Doncaster to the Palace of Westminster and across the Wash. Hazel said: “Britain’s inland waterways are a vital part of our national infrastructure, supporting the environment, economy, and local communities. However, these unique assets are facing increasing deterioration due to insufficient funding and maintenance.
We are calling on the Government to urgently review and secure sustainable funding for all inland waterways, ensuring they remain open, safe, and beneficial for future generations. Immediate action is needed to prevent further decline and to preserve the significant environmental, economic, and social value that waterways provide.
FBW is currently planning events for 2026 and plans to work closely with the navigation authorities to support their goals in securing the long-term future of the inland waterways.”
Support for FBW from the new Lady Mayor of the City of London
The recently elected Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley, is also a keen narrowboater, and a champion of the FBW campaign. She explained her thoughts to us:
“The UK’s 5,000 miles of canals and rivers create incredible blue-green corridors that millions of people enjoy. They support domestic tourism, help create jobs and bring real economic benefits to local communities. They also play a big role in improving people’s health and wellbeing – an experience I’ve enjoyed time and again on my own travels. For the sake of our economy, our environment and our communities, this is a national asset we simply can’t afford to lose.”
2025: Bookended by Breaches
2025 provided ample reminder – if any were needed – about why FBW is campaigning. The year ended as it began, with a major canal breach impacting people and businesses. Bookended by the Bridgewater and Llangollen Canal breaches were smaller breaches now repaired, for instance on the Macclesfield and Shropshire Union Canals, and other infrastructure failures including the Anderton Lift, Tardebigge Top Lock and two locks on the River Cam.
At the same time the dry spring and hot summer of 2025 caused further fragmentation of the waterway network, with the Canal & River Trust reporting that at the peak around 400 miles (20%) of its canals were affected by navigation restrictions or closures. As rainfall began to return in autumn, closures because of too little water were swiftly followed in some places by closures because of too much water.
2026 has already begun in similar vein, with an apparent collapsed culvert at Penkridge on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. Whatever the causes of these events the impact on navigation authority finances is severe.
FBW on the Little Ouse
FBW’s last waterborne event in 2025 was a campaign cruise to Brandon Lock on the River Little Ouse. Despite demonstrating the impossibility of reaching its destination, the cruise succeeded in drawing attention to this lesser-visited part of the waterways.
Brandon Lock has now been closed for two years, following use of the lock in January 2024 for flood management. This resulted in the approach channel and lock becoming completely silted up, making them too shallow for boats to use and preventing the opening of the lock gates. Even though it was the Environment Agency (EA) Flood Management team whose action caused the siltation, it is the Navigation team which is expected to provide the funds to remove it – and which is unable to do so.
Bridgewater Canal breach January 2025 (credit Taylors Aboard)
Llangollen Canal breach December 2025 (credit Taylors Aboard
Brandon Lock closed notice November 2025 (credit Ivan Cane)
The siltation was highlighted by a Wilderness Boat Owners Club campaign cruise under the FBW banner in September 2024, when the boats were unable to reach their intended venue at Brandon Town. Since then the silting below the sluices has shoaled to the extent that some longer boats are unable to turn. In September 2025 the EA issued a notice recommending against navigation above Hockwold, closing the three-mile upstream journey to Brandon. More recently three trees fell and blocked much of the river. The concern is that this lock will join Welches Dam and Swaffham Bulbeck locks on the list of permanently closed and lost amenities.
In order to draw renewed attention to the ongoing issue, the Wilderness Boat Owners Club (WBOC) planned an FBW campaign cruise to Brandon Lock on Friday
21st November. The WBOC is celebrated for its members’ willingness to venture into little-known waters, using their distinctive trailable and shallow-drafted cruisers. Even then a single Wilderness boat skippered by Ivan Cane was unable to reach the lock, but did manage to venture close enough to moor within walking distance of Brandon.
Ivan reported: “We were welcomed by local canoeists and paddleboarders, as well as IWA representatives and other Ouse club members. We hope that our efforts on behalf of FBW will help a little towards EA navigation assets funding deficits being improved.”
Last year three boats a week on average were visiting Brandon, but now the town is virtually cut off from the network. This is at a time when the Town Council is working hard to attract more users to their waterway and both the Council and local businesses are improving facilities for boaters, canoeists and paddleboarders. The EA public moorings are now inaccessible by boat, whilst the lock itself will soon enter its third year of waiting “for essential maintenance works”.
Approaching the third fallen tree (credit Kevin Moore)
Campaigners and FBW banner at Brandon Lock (credit Mike Daines)
Mooring at the highest reachable point (credit Mike Daines)
FBW Spreading the word at the British Marine Inland Conference
FBW took its message to the annual British Marine Inland Conference, at the invitation of FBW steering group member British Marine.
The 2025 conference was entitled ‘Energising Britain's Waterways!’ and was held at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley on 13 November. It was an opportunity for experts and stakeholders from across the inland boating sector to come together, share knowledge and explore the latest developments. FBW was represented by Hazel Owen and project manager Stephen Busby, who were able to have many good conversations.
FBW response to the Autumn Budget 2025
FBW issued a press release in the wake of the Autumn Budget, highlighting that once again the Budget failed to mention public investment to safeguard Britain’s inland waterways, and repeating FBW’s call for a comprehensive national review of future waterway funding plans.
FBW has made repeated representations to the Treasury, setting out the widely acknowledged benefits that Britain’s canals and rivers provide and stressing the threat to our waterways from underfunding at a time when the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather arising from climate change is combining with the ageing infrastructure to create a perfect storm. Yet the Government appears to be turning a blind eye to both the peril of the waterway network and its significance to the economic and social fabric of local communities.
The one possible ray of hope for waterways in the Budget was the devolution of £13bn in flexible funding to seven mayors across England and the promise of more of these integrated settlements in future. The provision of £500,000 by the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Combined Authority towards the repair of Baits Bite Lock has demonstrated what is possible. But while regional investment is a hugely valuable start, it is not enough.
Hazel Owen, Chair of FBW said “The Chancellor spoke of strong foundations for a secure future. FBW campaigners have this year seen at first hand the effects on the waterways of failing infrastructure and more extreme weather. Strong foundations for a secure future are exactly what our canals and rivers need, now more than ever. Without adequate funding their foundations are compromised and their future is far from secure.”
FBW Plans For 2026
Perhaps the only positive effect of the problems in 2025 has been a rapid increase in public awareness of the waterways, helped by ongoing mainstream media coverage of the dramatic Llangollen Canal breach with its obvious human impact. FBW will be turning up the volume of its campaign this year to make sure the effects of insufficient funding for inland waterways are not forgotten or overlooked.
FBW will be pointing the main campaign cruise towards the north west, to highlight the concentration of major issues there. Four routes are being planned to converge on Manchester and Liverpool in June-July. More details will be available shortly.
Three other events are also being planned:
The first FBW event of 2026 will be a campaign cruise jointly organised with the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (BCNS) over the weekend of 20/21 March. The Icicle Cruise to the Walsall Town Arm will celebrate the re-opening of the canal after the August 2024 pollution incident and sample the new CRT arrangements at Walsall Basin. Please email bcnsevents2026@gmail.com for more information.
This year’s Canalway Cavalcade dispersal cruise from Little Venice after the first May Bank Holiday weekend is planned to be on the Thames tideway to Woolwich, in company with a flotilla of historic narrowboats. The aim will be to celebrate all the boats built by Harland & Wolff, since 2026 is the 90th anniversary of the fleet built in 1936. It will be one of the first occasions this number of boats has returned to the place they were built, and a momentous opportunity to celebrate the longevity and quality of the build work and the dedication of the owners to maintaining and restoring them.
Building on the enthusiasm generated by the River Cam campaign cruise, the local organiser the Great Ouse Boating Association (GOBA) is making plans for a cruise on the River Great Ouse. The Great Ouse has recently become central to several planned major projects: the Universal Studios theme park near Bedford, the Fens Reservoir and the proposed new town at Tempsford. The aims of the cruise will be to highlight the many benefits provided by the river and draw attention to the lack of funding for the Environment Agency to maintain its infrastructure. The outline plan is to cruise to Bedford and be part of the Bedford River Festival on 18/19 July, stopping at towns and villages en route to engage with MPs, Mayors and councillors and draw attention to failing assets.
Please email info@fundbritainswaterways.org.uk either for further information about these events, or if you have ideas for additional events.
Other Ways to Support FBW - Lobby your MP about the fragmented waterway network The problems reported in this update provide an excellent opportunity for everyone, particularly those in constituencies where a local waterway is affected, to write to their MP as well as local and regional politicians and mayors, highlighting the benefits of waterways, the threat to them and the FBW campaign. Guidance and template letters are available here.
Follow FBW on social media Please follow FBW on X (https://x.com/FBW_Campaign ) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/946415890265050) and look out for a new LinkedIn presence coming soon.
Encourage as many people as possible to sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/fundbritainswaterways
Fly an FBW banner or flag on your boat or elsewhere You can download FBW graphics and use one of the internet suppliers. Or email us for more help.
As always, the heartfelt thanks of all associated with FBW to everyone who supports the campaign in any way.
Hazel Owen, Chair of Fund Britain's Waterways info@fundbritainswaterways.org.uk
IWA Berkhamsted Head Office Staff
Administration Manager (PT): Tracy Higgin ext 601
Membership Assistant (PT): Rachel Bryant ext 600
The Inland Waterways Association
South East Region
Chair: Vacant
IWA Guildford & Reading Branch Committee
Chair: Verna Smith
Tel: 07305 042609 Email: verna.smith484@gmail.com
Secretary: Chris Jones Tel: 07711 784374 Email: chris.jones@waterways.org.uk
Acting Treasurer & R. Wey: Mike Lewis Basingstoke & R. Thames: Vacant
K & A, WACT & Planning: Verna Smith
IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch Committee
Interim Chair: Peter Wilkinson Tel: 01303 890658 Email: peter.glen4@gmail.com
